Cosmetic Dental Services

Orthodontics

You can completely transform your smile with straight teeth. That's why many of our practices offer orthodontic services.

Orthodontic treatments, like traditional braces and Invisalign®, have revolutionised the options for people with crowded or crooked teeth. We have specialist orthodontists and general dentists, with a special interest in orthodontics, who offer orthodontic services to straighten teeth.

Overview

Your specialist orthodontist or dentist will recommend the best option for you, after assessing your teeth. Your treatment options vary from fixed braces, to retainers, to Invisalign treatments and more, for both adults and children.

Braces

You will have likely heard of braces. They're traditionally a metal device used to straighten your teeth. There are a range of different braces options available.

Fixed braces

These are the more traditional and common type of braces. Small brackets are bonded to the front of the teeth surfaces and a wire is run through them and held in place with a small coloured elastic band. You can have either plastic or metal brackets.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® treatment involves wearing a series of clear thin aligners, which are a bit like a very thin mouthguard, or tray. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and then the next one in the series is used. Because they are removable, they can be taken out for eating, drinking and sport.

Education

Braces have been around for thousands of years. They were first invented in the early 1800s and have changed dramatically since then. They're used to fix crooked teeth by straightening them, to help you achieve that perfect straight smile, for life.

Invisalign is a modern and virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth. Since 1997, Invisalign has gone on to transform millions of smile worldwide.

Apart from making your teeth look great, there are also many important functional reasons for straightening teeth:

  • Crowded and crooked teeth are hard to clean which can, in turn, cause a range of problems in the future
  • Too much space between the teeth, caused by the jaw being too big for the teeth or missing teeth
  • If the upper and lower jaws are misaligned or there's an underbite or overbite

You could also consult a specialist orthodontist if you notice other problems such as difficulty chewing or biting, if your child complains of a clicking jaw, tooth grinding or clenching, speech difficulties and breathing through the mouth instead of the nose.

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Find a Specialist Orthodontist near you

Have questions?

The cost of orthodontic work depends on the type of treatment and how long you will need it for. Generally, the cost relates to the complexity of the treatment and the length of time required for treatment. Many practices offer payment terms or other discounts. The practice will advise you about the cost and payment options at your consultation visit.

Our orthodontists and dentists are highly trained and skilled at making the whole process of getting orthodontic treatment as easy and painless as possible.

Getting braces put on isn’t a painful procedure. However, most patients will feel some discomfort or mild pain when the braces are first put on and they get used to having them. When braces are adjusted, every six to eight weeks, they may also be a bit uncomfortable for a day or two, until you adjust to them. 

With Invisalign® treatment you may experience some discomfort or pressure for a few days with each change of aligners. This is completely normal and is a sign that Invisalign is doing its job – moving your teeth to their new, straighter position. 

The length of your treatment will depend on the movement you require and can only be determined by your orthodontist specialist or dentist. The length of time needed for adolescent patients may vary.

A general dentist qualifies after completing a five-year dental undergraduate programme at a university dental school. All dentists have some orthodontic training in their programme. After a few years of clinical practice as a dentist, they can go on to study for a three-year full time orthodontic specialist post-graduate programme. This study leads to a Masters of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics, and qualification as a specialist orthodontist.

Both general dentists and orthodontists keep up their knowledge through Continuing Professional Development in their field. General dentists can have a special interest in orthodontics, often in a specific treatment, such as Invisalign®. General dentists are members of the NZ Dental Association. General dentists with a special interest in orthodontic treatment may also be members of the NZ Dentists Orthodontic Society. Orthodontist specialists are mostly members of the NZ Association of Orthodontists. 

Orthodontics is the specialist field of dentistry focused on the diagnosis and treatment of issues developing from alignment problems with the teeth and jaws. While orthodontist specialists have extra qualifications and focus purely on orthodontic treatment, general dentists with a special interest in orthodontics typically also offer general dental services.